Renard’s Thoughts On Ubuntu MATE

Ubuntu MATE is one of those distributions of Linux that a lot of Linux enthusiasts have rated highly.

The best way of finding out if Ubuntu MATE is right for you is to try it out for yourself.

I have experimented with Ubuntu MATE in the past and I have to admit that it is not a bad operating system; however, it is nowhere perfect; it has its flaws.

Some of the flaws that I experienced in the past with Ubuntu MATE were:

• Celluloid being unresponsive.
• Not being able to rename files in the Pictures folder when it is in the Icons view mode.
• The occasional disappearance of Plank from off of the screen.
• Not being able to download certain colour profiles via the Ubuntu MATE Welcome feature.

On a positive note, the MATE desktop environment is usually well-behaved on most distributions of Linux.

Therefore, I am not surprised by the fact that the developers of Ubuntu MATE pulled off a fairly okay operating system.

Ubuntu MATE Inherited Its Technical Issues From Ubuntu

Ubuntu and its official flavours are released on a specific timeline (New versions are released every six months).

From a historical perspective, Ubuntu has released every version of its operating system with bugs (Most of those bugs are eradicated as time goes along).

Therefore, when Ubuntu has bugs, they are passed on to:

• Kubuntu
• Lubuntu
• Ubuntu Budgie
• Ubuntu Kylin
• Ubuntu MATE
• Ubuntu Studio
• Xubuntu

Whereas, Linux Mint will only release its operating system when those technological hiccups have been smoothened out (Linux Mint will only release its operating system when it is ready and not a moment before).

From the looks of things, it does not appear that Ubuntu is going to change the manner in which it releases its operating system.

Ubuntu MATE Is User-Friendly

Ubuntu MATE is one of the most user-friendly distributions of Linux around.

And, what is it that makes Ubuntu MATE so user-friendly?

Ubuntu MATE is user-friendly because it has a layout that is suitable for almost everyone.

The various layouts can be accessed via the Ubuntu MATE Welcome feature or by the usage of the MATE Tweak tool.

People who are coming over from Windows will feel at home with the Redmond layout.

And, those people who are coming over from macOS will be able to find their way around Ubuntu MATE with the help of the Cupertino layout.

By the way, if you are the adventurous type of individual, you can create your own unique layout (Hey, it is Linux; it was created to be configured to your liking).

The Software In Ubuntu MATE Is A Bit Too Old For My Liking

For the record, I am fully aware of the intent that the developers had for their users. They, of course, wanted the users of Ubuntu MATE to utilize a system that was stable (Unfortunately, that stability came at the price of using older software).

Arch Linux has me spoilt rotten; it provides me with bleeding edge software as well as the latest kernel.

Therefore, it is hard for me to go back to using way older software and an ancient kernel ― those things that Arch Linux provided its users with many ages ago.

Anyway, the most important thing is that you can get real work done with Ubuntu MATE’s help.

I, on the other hand, would prefer to get real work done via the usage of Arch Linux.

Ubuntu MATE Works On A Wide Range Of Hardware

Ubuntu MATE works on a wide range of hardware (Including those old MacBook Pros; specifically those that were manufactured before Apple started placing the T2 security chip inside of them).

However, in regards to those computers that recently made their way off of the assembly line, you will need to use a distribution of Linux that provides its users with the latest kernel.

Why?

Because the device drivers are baked into the Linux kernel.

By the way, some of the Linux distributions that provide their users with up-to-date Linux kernels are:

• Arch Linux
• EndeavourOS
• ArcoLinux
• Manjaro
• Solus

Computers that are around seven months or older should work fine with Ubuntu MATE (Please be advised that there are a small handful of computers that are not compatible with Linux and that you would have to do some research online with the intention of finding out if your particular brand and model number of computer can work with Linux).

You Can Give Ubuntu MATE A Test Run

If you are one of those people who would like to give Ubuntu MATE a test run and you have an old computer lying somewhere around your house, you can do that by inserting a  bootable USB flash drive with Ubuntu MATE on it (I advise going online and searching for the function key that allows you to access your computer’s bios settings).

Now, before you get to that stage, you will need to create a bootable USB flash drive with Ubuntu MATE on it (Joey Sneddon’s article, How to Create a Bootable Ubuntu with Etcher, will teach you the necessary steps).

Ubuntu MATE will add new life to your old computer.

And, Ubuntu MATE will run at lightning speed on fairly new computers (That should be good news for those of you who have computers that are unable to be upgraded to Windows 11).

You Can Purchase A Computer With Ubuntu MATE On It

Those people who are intimidated by the idea of installing Ubuntu MATE on their own computer can buy one that comes with Ubuntu MATE preinstalled on it (You can find those items via Ubuntu MATE’s Desktops & Laptops section).

The nice thing about those computers is that they were designed to run Linux.

Therefore, running Ubuntu MATE on any of those computers would be akin to child’s play.

Who Is Ubuntu MATE For?

Ubuntu MATE is for the person who:

• Wants to use their computer to create an office document.
• Wants to use their computer to do music production.
• Wants to use their computer to create and store literature.
• Wants to use their computer to do coding.
• Wants to use their computer to do gaming.
• Wants to use their computer to consume online content.
• Wants to use their computer to edit photos.
• Wants to use their computer to create graphic designs.
• Wants to use their computer to do video editing.
• Wants to use their computer to stream content online.

Hey, you can do lots of things with your computer (Especially when you have Ubuntu MATE installed on it).

The Bottom-Line

The truth is that Ubuntu MATE is not right for everyone.

However, in order to know for sure if Ubuntu MATE is your proverbial cup of tea, you will have to give it a try (You can download your Ubuntu MATE ISO image here).

Be brave and give Ubuntu MATE a try today!

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